Scientists create first GM monkey

American scientists have created the world's first genetically modified monkey.

The team from Oregon claims the breakthrough will speed up the development of new treatments for human diseases.

They have named the monkey ANDi, which stands for "inserted DNA" spelled backwards. His creation is described in the Friday issue of the journal Science.

Researchers at Oregon Health Sciences University say the male rhesus monkey, who was born in October, carries extra DNA in a gene which is visible as it glows green.

Scientists hope to introduce other genes into rhesus monkeys to trigger human diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, breast cancer or HIV and help find a way to block them.

The technique for inserting the gene has been used for more than a quarter century in mice but comparing a mouse to a human being has limits, said Dr Gerald Schatten. He is leading the research at the university's Oregon Regional Primate Centre.

ANDi received an extra gene while he was still an unfertilised egg.